During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima, Peru, U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed that decisions regarding the use of nuclear weapons should remain under human control, not artificial intelligence. This significant agreement, as announced by the White House, underscores the leaders’ mutual acknowledgment of the risks associated with AI in military applications and the importance of responsible development within this field. The Chinese government’s summary of the meeting supported this stance, although there was no immediate comment from the Chinese foreign ministry.
This agreement marks a pioneering step in addressing the twin challenges of nuclear arms and AI between the two nations. For months, Washington has sought to engage Beijing in nuclear arms discussions, facing resistance that has stalled substantive talks despite sporadic semi-official exchanges. Last year, the Pentagon reported China possessing around 500 operational nuclear warheads, a number expected to more than double by 2030, highlighting Beijing’s increasing nuclear capabilities and readiness. These developments contribute to China’s nuclear “triad” status.
Previous diplomatic engagements have indicated China’s steady modernization of its nuclear arsenal, including advancements in submarine production and hypersonic technology. Despite this, China continues to uphold a policy of minimal nuclear deterrence and no first use. In discussions with U.S. scholars and officials, Chinese academics have dismissed Western concerns as exaggerated.
The Biden administration recently revised its nuclear guidance, a move framed as unrelated to specific global threats, although it acknowledges the strategic challenges posed by China, North Korea, and Russia. This dialogue at the APEC summit may not immediately lead to further negotiations but represents an essential dialogue shift between the two leading global powers on these critical issues.
Original Story https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/17/biden-xi-agree-that-humans-not-ai-should-control-nuclear-arms.html
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